AARYN

And what would he say in either case?

It was a feminine voice, but he couldn't hear through the thick wood of the floor to know who. Whoever it was, his mother spent some time speaking with her before leading her upstairs.

He could hear the twin footsteps coming and turned to face the door, his mouth dropping open when Elreth's mother, Elia, knocked on his open door and peered around it. "Can I come in?"

"Of course," he said, then cleared his throat when his voice almost broke. "Please." He cleared a seat at his desk so she could sit there, then looked around the room. It was tidy. He always kept his things in order. But it was very plain, and small. Nothing like the Royal Cave, or Trees. And even though she'd been to his home before, it was rare. And she'd never seen his room. So why was she here now? Was she angry that he'd gotten angry with Elreth the night before? Or that he'd left breakfast?

Either way, he was going to stand his ground. If they really thought—"

"How are you, Aaryn?" she asked carefully.

"Fine, fine. Can I get you a drink or anything?" he blurted.

She just laughed. "No, your mother already offered. I just… I hoped we could speak. Privately. About my daughter."

Aaryn blinked and dropped the book to his pillow, then looked back to the former Queen. "Of course," he said warily. "What did you… I mean, about what?"

Elia smiled at him. "You know you are already a part of our family, no matter what happens, don't you, Aaryn?"

He blinked and swallowed. "I mean, thank you. Yes. I suppose."

"No, Aaryn, look at me. And speak with Reth if you need to. You are a second son to us, no matter your relationship with our children. If there is ever anything we can to help you, we wish to do it. I want you to know that. No matter what."

He swallowed again. Hard. His eyes were itching. "Thank you."

She nodded. "Now that you know that, I want you to know that Reth and I are both very aware that you're in love with Elreth—and equally aware that she has not… returned your affection. But we think… we know, that Elreth is her father's daughter and I was hoping I could shed some light on this for you. So you don't lose heart."

Aaryn just stared, so Elia went on.

"Elreth's father is… oblivious," she stated baldly.

Aaryn choked. He'd seen the former King blunder into problems in the past, completely unaware of his impact on others, or of others' needs. Never in a malicious way. But just… well, she'd stated it well. Aaryn nodded. "I think I know what you mean," he said carefully.

Elia laughed. "I know you do, Aaryn. And it's a joy to me that you forgive him—them for it. Because the truth is, our daughter is just like her father in this. Often, unless someone presents her with the question, or a problem to solve, she will not even consider… things."

"I'm aware of that, also," Aaryn said stiffly.

Elia nodded, not smiling this time. "You cannot give up, Aaryn. Please don't give up on her," she said very quietly. "She is… she needs to be confronted with this. And soon. She's beginning to blame herself for things and… I fear she will give up."

"On what?"

"On you."

Aaryn frowned. "She doesn't want me."

"She doesn't know that she wants you. She's become so accustomed to you, so used to your presence, and your love, that she has taken it for granted. I fear… I fear the day you remove it will be the day she will realize, and by then it may be too late. For both of you."

Aaryn ran a hand through his hair. To be honest, to just… talk about this part of himself he'd never actually expressed? Or to speak around it?

"Aaryn, if you don't tell her how you feel, she will not consider it and then when your heart finds another, she will realize and be devasted. I'm convinced of it."

"But… if she doesn't pine for me now, why would she then?"

"Because there is only one aspect of her life that you do not already fulfill the most important role, and she hasn't… awakened, yet. As soon as she does…"

Aaryn looked away from the Queen. "She may begin to."

"No, she may be about to force herself too, because she's afraid. That is not the same thing. And I fear what would put between her and any mate to come, whether it be you or not."

Aaryn didn't respond. He couldn't.

"I really do pray that it will be you, Aaryn," Elia went on.

Aaryn had to close his eyes. The utter irony, the bittersweet joy and pain of hearing that from Elreth's mother of all people.

"I would never reject her, Elia. If she even hinted—"

"Please, Aaryn. When have you ever known Elreth to hint at anything?"

He snorted. "True."

"She just doesn't realize. She misinterprets her own thoughts and feelings because she's never questioned them. In this, she is still very young. And while I love that about her—I was very similar—I fear where it will lead her now. With the pressure, and the awareness of others. And the attention you both attract elsewhere…" Aaryn looked at her sharply, but she just met his gaze evenly, and continued. "She loves you, Aaryn. I know it in my soul. She just hasn't realized that's what she feels. She thinks… she thinks of you as family, because you are. But there is more for her—for both of you. Please… don't give up. Make her look at you. Make her confront it."

Aaryn pulled away from that idea. "You know as well as I do, no one can force Elreth to do anything she doesn't want to do."

"People used to say the same about her father before he found me," Elia said slyly.

Aaryn's mouth dropped open.